The Cat Island Regatta recently celebrated its 60th "Diamond Jubilee" Anniversary, making it the second oldest Regatta in The Bahamas, only younger than the Family Island Regatta of Georgetown, Exuma. To mark the occasion the Cat Island Sailing Club honoured Godfrey Kelly, 88 who was instrumental in founding the event six decades ago.

The Club also pulled out all the stops by providing a non-stop schedule of entertainment and top class racing action in New Bight Harbour.

One of this year's main attractions was the B Class sloop racing, sponsored in part by Bank of The Bahamas Limited, the only bank with a physical presence in Cat Island. The B Class races attracted four sloops, namely Ant's Nest, owned and captained by Lee Ambrister, The Eudeva, owned and captained by Sheldon Gibson; Cobra, owned by Dwayne Higgins and captained by Josh Green; and the Susan Chase, owned and captained by Matt Knowles.

Maxwell Burrows, Chairman of The Cat Island Sailing Club said the B Class 3 series races were closely contested by experienced crews including some local Cat Island sailors.

"It was so competitive that there were just a few points separating 2nd, 3rd and 1st place in each race" he said, noting that Godfrey Kelly and other sailing enthusiasts could easily watch the races without binoculars in "the best sailing spot in the entire Bahamas".

Presenting, the trophies, Cammelar Seymour, Senior Service Representative of BOB's Cat Island branch, said the Bank was pleased to support the Cat Island Regatta on the occasion of its 60th Anniversary.

"We realize that Regatta is very important to Cat Island historically, culturally and economically, therefore, we are delighted to give our support to this great tradition on this special anniversary of the Cat Island Regatta," Ms. Seymour said.

Trophies were presented to Steffon and Ian Knowles of the Susan Chase that won two of the B Class 3 series races and to Josh Green, captain of the Cobra.

Photo Caption

BOB SUPPORTS REGATTA -- Cammelar Seymour, Senior Service Representative of BOB's Cat Island Branch presents trophies to 1. Ian Knowles, of The Susan Chase, winner of 2 races in the B Class 3 Series